U.S. patent application number 10/387022 was filed with the patent office on 2004-09-16 for fish tape with rolling end.
Invention is credited to White, Isaac D..
Application Number | 20040180194 10/387022 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32961802 |
Filed Date | 2004-09-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040180194 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
White, Isaac D. |
September 16, 2004 |
Fish tape with rolling end
Abstract
A fish tape comprising a spherical portion disposed in a cutout
portion of an end of the fish tape, wherein the spherical portion
is attached to the end of the fish tape.
Inventors: |
White, Isaac D.; (Orlando,
FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KIRKPATRICK & LOCKHART LLP
535 SMITHFIELD STREET
PITTSBURGH
PA
15222
US
|
Family ID: |
32961802 |
Appl. No.: |
10/387022 |
Filed: |
March 12, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
428/343 ;
428/354 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02G 11/02 20130101;
H02G 1/081 20130101; H02G 1/083 20130101; Y10T 428/2848 20150115;
Y10T 428/28 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
428/343 ;
428/354 |
International
Class: |
B32B 007/12 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A fish tape, comprising: a spherical portion disposed in a
cutout portion of an end of the fish tape, wherein the spherical
portion is attached to the end of the fish tape.
2. The fish tape of claim 1, further comprising an axle attached to
the end of the fish tape and extending through the spherical
portion, wherein the axle is configured to enable the spherical
portion to rotate.
3. The fish tape of claim 1, wherein the spherical portion is
constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of
steel, stainless steel and plastic.
4. The fish tape of claim 2, wherein the axle is constructed of a
material selected from the group consisting of steel, stainless
steel and plastic.
5. The fish tape of claim 1, wherein the spherical portion is
fixedly attached to the end of the fish tape.
6. The fish tape of claim 1, wherein the spherical portion is
rotatably attached to the end of the fish tape.
7. The fish tape of claim 1, wherein the fish tape is adapted to be
used in a fish tape device having a reel assembly.
8. A fish tape, comprising: a wheel disposed in a cutout portion of
an end of the fish tape, wherein the wheel is attached to the end
of the fish tape.
9. The fish tape of claim 8, further comprising an axle attached to
the end of the fish tape and extending through the wheel, wherein
the axle is configured to enable the wheel to rotate.
10. The fish tape of claim 8, wherein the wheel is constructed of a
material selected from the group consisting of plastic, steel, and
rubber.
11. The fish tape of claim 9, wherein the axle is constructed of a
material selected from the group consisting of steel, stainless
steel and plastic.
12. The fish tape of claim 8, wherein the wheel is fixedly attached
to the end of the fish tape.
13. The fish tape of claim 8, wherein the wheel is rotatably
attached to the end of the fish tape.
14. The fish tape of claim 8, wherein the fish tape is adapted to
be used in a fish tape device having a reel assembly.
15. A fish tape, comprising: a roller assembly attached to an end
of the fish tape; and a spherical portion disposed in the roller
assembly.
16. The fish tape of claim 15, wherein the spherical portion is
constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of
stainless steel or rubber.
17. The fish tape of claim 15, wherein the spherical portion is
fixedly attached to the roller assembly.
18. The fish tape of claim 15, wherein the spherical portion is
rotatably disposed in the roller assembly.
19. The fish tape of claim 15, wherein the roller assembly is
constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of
plastic and steel.
20. The fish tape of claim 15, wherein the fish tape is adapted to
be used in a fish tape device having a reel assembly.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention is directed generally and in various
embodiments to a fish tape having a rolling end.
[0002] Fish tape is often used to fish wires and cable through an
area that may not be accessible (e.g. a wall) or through conduit
piping. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a prior art
fish tape device 10. An end 11 of a fish tape 12 extends from a
reel assembly 14. The fish tape 12 is wound inside the assembly 14.
The fish tape 12 may be constructed of a durable material such as,
for example, steel tape or steel wire. The assembly 14 may include
a handle 16 that is used to hold the device 10 in operation and to
transport the device 10. The assembly 14 may also include a
hand-operated crank or motor-operated device (not shown) that is
used to retract the fish tape 12 into the assembly 14. The end 11
of the fish tape 12 terminates with an end device 18. The end
device, 18 may be, for example, a slotted device that is formed or
attached to the fish tape 12 or may be a bend or series of bends
formed in the fish tape 12.
[0003] In operation, a user of the device 10 extends the fish tape
12 into a cavity or a conduit until a desired termination point is
reached. A wire or cable is then tied, taped, or attached to the
end device 18 and the user retracts the fish tape 12 into the
assembly 14, thus drawing the wire or cable through the cavity or
conduit.
[0004] Various other types of fish tape devices exist that are
shaped differently than the fish tape device 10 or that do not
include the assembly 14 but instead include a fish tape that is
coiled without retracting into an assembly. Various embodiments of
the present invention are intended to function regardless of the
type of fish tape device on which the embodiments of the invention
are employed.
SUMMARY
[0005] In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a
fish tape. The fish tape includes a spherical portion disposed in a
cutout portion of an end of the fish tape, wherein the spherical
portion is attached to the end of the fish tape.
[0006] In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a
fish tape. The fish tape includes a wheel disposed in a cutout
portion of an end of the fish tape, wherein the wheel is attached
to the end of the fish tape.
[0007] In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a
fish tape. The fish tape includes a roller assembly attached to an
end of the fish tape and a spherical portion disposed in the roller
assembly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] Further advantages of the present invention may be better
understood by referring to the following description taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a prior art
fish tape device;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a side view of an end of a
fish tape according to one embodiment of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a top view of the end of
the fish tape of FIG. 2 according to one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a top view of an end of a
fish tape according to one embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a side view of an end of a
fish tape according to one embodiment of the present invention;
and
[0014] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a top view of the end of
the fish tape of FIG. 5 according to one embodiment of the present
invention.
DESCRIPTION
[0015] It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of
the present invention have been simplified to illustrate elements
that are relevant for a clear understanding of the present
invention, while eliminating, for purposes of clarity, other
elements. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize,
however, that these and other elements may be desirable. However,
because such elements are well known in the art, and because they
do not facilitate a better understanding of the present invention,
a discussion of such elements is not provided herein.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a side view of an end 20 of
a fish tape 22 according to one embodiment of the present
invention. A spherical portion 24 is disposed in a cutout portion
25 of the fish tape 22 (see FIG. 3). The spherical portion 24 is
attached to the fish tape 22 by way of a spindle, or axle, 26. The
spherical portion 24 may be, for example, a sphere constructed of a
material that has high durability and low rolling resistance such
as, for example, steel, stainless steel, or plastic. Similarly, the
spindle 26 may be constructed of a material such as, for example,
steel, stainless steel, or plastic.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a top view of the end 20 of
the fish tape 22 of FIG. 2 according to one embodiment of the
present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the spindle 26 may be
attached to the fish tape 22 by any conventional method such as,
for example, by fabricating ends 28 to be larger than the holes in
the fish tape 22 in which the spindle 26 is disposed. Legs 29 may
be fabricated as an integral part of the fish tape 22 or may be
attached to the fish tape 22 by, for example, a weld or a
fastener.
[0018] The spindle 26 may pass through an opening in the spherical
portion 24 such that the spherical portion 24 may rotate as it
contacts a surface. In another embodiment, the spherical portion 24
is fixedly attached to the spindle 26 such that the spherical
portion 24 does not rotate. In another embodiment, the spherical
portion 24 is fixedly attached to the fish tape 22 by, for example,
a fastener or by a molding process, thus eliminating the need for
the spindle 26.
[0019] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the spindle 26 passes
through a portion of the fish tape 22. However, it can be
understood that various arrangements may used in which the spindle
is attached to arms that are in turn attached to the fish tape 22.
Also, in various embodiments, the spherical portion 24 may have
multiple degrees of freedom of rotation and movement. For example,
the slots in which the spindle 28 are disposed may be enlarged such
that the spindle 26 is secured in the slots but the spindle 26 and
the spherical portion 24 can move laterally, horizontally, or in
any direction as permitted by the shape of the slots.
[0020] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a top view of an end 30 of
a fish tape 32 according to one embodiment of the present
invention. The end 30 includes a roller assembly 34 in which a
spherical portion 36 is disposed. The assembly 34 may be attached
to the fish tape 32, may be molded onto the fish tape 32, or may be
fabricated as an integral portion of the fish tape 32. The assembly
34 may be constructed of any suitable material such as, for
example, plastic or steel. The spherical portion 36 may be, for
example, a sphere constructed of a material that has high
durability and low rolling resistance such as, for example, steel,
stainless steel, or plastic. Although the assembly 34 is
illustrated in FIG. 4 as having a tapered shape, it can be
understood that the assembly 34 may be any suitable shape such that
the spherical portion 36 is retained in the assembly 34. The
assembly 34 may be sized such that the spherical portion 36 is able
to rotate or such that the spherical portion is fixedly retained in
the assembly.
[0021] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a side view of an end 38 of
a fish tape 40 according to one embodiment of the present
invention. A wheel 42 is attached to the fish tape 40 via an axle
44. The wheel 42 may be constructed of any suitable material such
as, for example, plastic, steel, or rubber. In one embodiment, a
contact portion 46 of the wheel 42 is constructed of a different
material than a hub portion 48 of the wheel 42. In one embodiment,
the axle 44 is constructed of any suitable material that permits
the wheel 42 to rotate such as, for example, steel or plastic. In
another embodiment, the axle 44 secures the wheel from
rotating.
[0022] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a top view of the end 38 of
the fish tape 40 of FIG. 5 according to one embodiment of the
present invention. As can be seen in FIG. 6, the wheel 42 may be
disposed in a cutout portion 49 of the fish tape 40. The axle 44
may be attached to the fish tape 40 by any conventional method such
as, for example, by fabricating ends 50 to be larger than the holes
in the fish tape 40 in which the axle 44 is disposed. Legs 51 may
be fabricated as an integral part of the fish tape 40 or may be
attached to the fish tape 40.
[0023] In operation, when the ends 20, 30, 38 are placed on a fish
tape device, such as the fish tape device 10 of FIG. 1, the
spherical portions 24, 36 and the wheel 42 allow the fish tapes 22,
32, 40, respectively, to more easily navigate spaces in which the
fish tapes 22, 32, 40 are used. For example, when the fish tapes
22, 32, 40 are inserted into a conduit that has bends or elbows
(e.g. a 90 degree elbow), the spherical portions 24, 36 and the
wheel 42 allow the fish tapes 22, 32 40 to navigate such bends or
angles.
[0024] In various embodiments, slots, grooves or holes may be
formed or cut into the fish tapes 22, 32, 40 so that wire or cable
may be tied to or looped through prior to retraction through the
cavity or conduit in which the wire or cable is being pulled.
[0025] While several embodiments of the invention have been
described, it should be apparent, however, that various
modifications, alterations and adaptations to those embodiments may
occur to persons skilled in the art with the attainment of some or
all of the advantages of the present invention. It is therefore
intended to cover all such modifications, alterations and
adaptations without departing from the scope and spirit of the
present invention as defined by the appended claims.
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